DIXFIELD – Heavy rains early Saturday morning are most likely the cause of an accident that resulted in about $6,000 damage to a Police Department cruiser, police said.
Police Chief Richard Pickett said officer Jeff Howe was patrolling west along Route 2, just a few hundred yards from the police station at 1:20 a.m., when his 2003 Crown Victoria cruiser hit a pocket of water and hydroplaned. The cruiser landed in the woods adjacent to the road.
Howe was not injured.
Pickett said officer Dean Benson from the Mexico Police Department was called to report on the accident since policy requires another police department to investigate an incident involving a local police officer. Benson could not be reached for comment.
Pickett said insurance is expected to cover much of the damage.
Until the department receives two new cruisers, which have already been ordered, Pickett said an older cruiser will be put into service. He expects delivery on two new 2005 cruisers within two weeks.
Prior to the accident, the 2003 cruiser was going to become the department’s unmarked car. Pickett said those plans are still in place.
In other Police Department news:
Shawn L. Flaherty, 31, Livermore Falls, was arrested at 8:22 p.m. on July 4 on Main Street and charged with displaying a suspended driver’s license. He is scheduled to appear in 11th District Court, Northern Oxford Division, on Oct. 4.
Candy Hathaway, 27, Madison, was arrested at 1 a.m. on July 1 on the Weld Road on a charge of operating after suspension. She is scheduled to appear in 11th District Court, Northern Oxford Division, on Oct. 4.
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